Frankie & Hilary: The Hollywood Friendship That Fizzled on ONDA LA

The Beginnings of a Hollywood Bond

Frankie Muniz is shaking things up with details about his long-lost friendship with Hilary Duff. In the latest episode of "The Joe Vulpis Podcast," the actor opened up about the early 2000s vibe, when he and Duff were practically the king and queen of teen TV. Remember those "Malcolm in the Middle" and "Lizzie McGuire" days when these shows ruled family TV nights?

Muniz, now rocking 39, shared how Duff was one of his first true LA pals. "Hilary Duff was probably one of my first friends when I moved to LA to film Malcolm [in the Middle],” he revealed. Back then, Burbank was the scene to be for young stars, and despite not living there, Muniz's mom would drop him off to hang out with the crowd, leading to his fateful meet-up with Hilary.

“Hilary was so cool, but her mom was intense,” Muniz said. “And I was very sad when Hilary’s mom would come on set.”

The Spy-Comedy That Came Between Them

The duo's camaraderie took a hit when Muniz snagged the lead for "Agent Cody Banks." With a rare contract clause allowing him to choose his on-screen love interest, he was in for a surprise. Although Kristin Kreuk was initially eyed for the role, things took a twist when Hilary's mom, Susan Duff, got wind of it.

Muniz recounted how Susan swooped in, pushing for her daughter to join the project. By the next day, she announced, "Hilary’s doing Cody Banks with you. They signed the contract last night." This studio decision, sidestepping Muniz, didn't sit well with him, despite their friendship. "Needless to say, I wasn’t thrilled," Muniz admitted.

After the Cameras Stopped Rolling

Although they remained professional on set, once filming wrapped, the communication between Muniz and Duff hit a dead end. It's been over two decades since they’ve exchanged words. Time has softened Muniz’s perspective, and he expressed some remorse over the lost friendship. "I regret not just continuing to be friends with her," he shared.

Now, Muniz is zooming around racetracks, having switched the Hollywood glitz for motorsport thrills, while Duff shines bright in "How I Met Your Father" and is raising four kids. As Muniz dreams of a "Malcolm in the Middle" comeback, who knows, maybe a reunion of old friends could be on the horizon.

Tags: Actor, Celebrity Friends, Hilary Duff, Photos